Wednesday, September 15, 2010

'A SHORT HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL STAMPS'/ Concow Maidu Faux Postage Stamps/ 'Ultrama' by Eric Whollem/. . . The story of how Turtle created the world from mud from the bottom of the sea/ A cinderella stamp from the micronation of Maidem Kodom. . . & the 'Mooretown Provisional Post Office'/ Detail from the mixed media painting, 'Garden of the Turtle'/ Gouache and earth paints on paper/ A CYBERSTAMP EDITION/ California Native American Creation Myth

Ultrama

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

The Concow Maidu Story of Creation on a Faux Postage Stamp

A SHORT HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL STAMPS

Quite a few Native American tribal stamps have been created by

Indian Nations. Some of them are reservation hunting permit stamps.

Such items are attractive to stamp collectors. Duck Stamps, issued by

the US government have a huge following among collectors. And as

for cinderella faux postage stamps, there are societies and clubs dedicated to their study.

The first Native American tribal stamps were issued by the RosebudSioux in the 1950's. These were hunting permit stamps.

The Crow Creek Sioux have issued a number of Duck Hunting stamps.A link at the bottom of my post takes you to the history of these stamps.There is an amusing story of the Crow Creek people having had a lack of interest in helping stamp collectors purchase their stamps, which were issued for a practical purpose. Stamp collectors have been made to wait until after hunting season is over to get copies of the stamps, which were made for hunters, not collectors. [See the Arago link below, where you can
read an informative article by Jeanette Cantrell Rudy.]

Tribal stamps were first issued in the 1950's, but the first stamps withimages instead of mere text appered in 1989--with the Crow CreekPeople. These stamps show flying birds.

In my links below you can find examples of fantasy Native Americantribal stamps, such as those from the Republic of Timucua. These arecalled 'micronation stamps' by collectors. There are quite a few micronations online. It is creative genre, not always geared just to stamps.

Developers of a micronation go to various lengths to invent a history andculture for their imaginary land. This genre of creativity is found inorganizations like the Society For Creative Anachronism, whosemembers try to recreate the Middle Ages.

Also you can find a link to authentic tribal stamps from a dealer who specializes in them for collectors. (This is Jaffe Stamps, who acquired the Brookman Stamp Company, & has a complete online catalog of known Indian Reservation Stamps).

These authentic tribal stamps and the fantasy issues mentioned above are all classified as 'cinderella stamps' by stamp collectors. A cinderella is any sort of non-postage stamp, including Christmas seals, revenue stamps,and Duck Hunting Permit Stamps, as well as faux postage stamps or micronation stamps. The stamps from Timucua are 'faux postage stamps,' as they are purely artistic creations.

Asskosskoss

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

My own issues from Maidem Kodom and the Mooretown Provisional PostOffice are all micronational stamps--faux postage stamps that are educational and informative . . . ana a way of sharing with the world my art that relates to Concow Maidu culture.

Voice of the Turtle

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

NOTES ON MY MAIDEM KODOM STAMPS

My art for many of these designs was in part made from natural earth pigments--and sometimes in conjuction with opaque watercolors.

The brief synopsis of the story of Ultrama, the Turtle is found in the

margins of this Turtle stamp I created for an idealized Maidu postal service,

which I have dubbed 'The Mooretown Provisional Post Office.'

As you see here I have included Spirit of the Deer Man and, Asskosskoss the Jay among the images on my artist stamps.

Sumi Maidem Kakini

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Actually I began creating faux postage stamps up in Feather Falls back

in 1999. Subsequently I have created quite a few imaginary stamp issuing

countries--from Amphitritonia to Undinia. My Maidem Kodom stamps

are special because they reflect the language and customs of a real

culture, at least as interpreted by myself. I apologize for any grammatical

or informational errors which may appear in my work and writings.

Netdim Kakinim

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

A PARALLEL OF CONCOW MAIDU LEGEND WITH HINDU SCRIPTURE

Tom Epperson, a Maidu storyteller, has given us the most comprehensive

account of the original Concow Maidu cultural legends. A link at the bottom

of this post takes you to an original recording of Mr. Epperson singing a

version of the Maidu Creation Story.

The Maidu account of Creation is similar to that found in India, where the

first incarnation of Vishnu was Kurma, the Tortoise.

There is another Hindu Myth that recalls the Maidu Creation Story--the legend

of Bhu. In this story Bhu, the Earth Goddess, is held captive at the bottom of

the sea. Narasimha, the Manlion, (the third incarnation of Vishnu) rescues her

from the clutches of Makara, the Sea King. This story is found in the Puranas.

'Bhu' means earth in the sense of dense matter. In this her story parallels

the Maidu legend where mud is brought up from the bottom of the sea by

Ultrama the Turtle.

CONCOW MAIDU CULTURE VIDEO BY WHOLLEM

ANOTHER ANCIENT STORY OF CREATON SET AT THE OCEAN FLOOR

Interestingly enough, in the Gnostic Gospels found at Nat Hammadi in Egypt

there is an account of Genesis wherein the Garden of Eden is at the bottom

of the sea. The story relates that Adam was created as a reflection on the

water. Here we have the oceanic element, but Adam is a mental creation,

rather than a physical creation from clay or mud.

Thus the Maidu Creation Story has various parallels in different parts of the

world. Some story elements are similar. But the Maidu story is unique. . . and

quite different from other legends found among tribal groups in early California.

ERIC WHOLLEM'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Clicking on the above icon will take you to my Youtube Channel where you can find Uploads of my art and stamp videos. Also those interested in international ethnic music may enjoy my Playlist Collection of world music.

ERIC'S BLOG SEARCH

Click on the labels below to pull up posts by Eric on topics of your choice.

MYTHOGRAPHIC SCULPTURE: A post on Myth as it is used by sculptors and artists

'Ooti, the Acorn' by Eric Whollem; Concow Maidu Language and Culture. This image is a link to my Maidu artist stamp gallery.

ALBUM OF CERAMIC SCULPTURES

This album shows the range of sculptural art that I have created over the years. Click on photo to access the album.

DIGITAL PAINTING

'Stratosphere' by Eric Whollem

THE KING OF THE WOOD: an earth painting celebrating the legendary King of Nemi

This painting from 1974 was painted in natural earth pigments, charcoal, and ash paint on panel. The subject of the painting is the guardian of the Golden Bough. This image is a link to my post on this painting.

FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM

'The Divine Expression' by Eric Whollem. This image is a link to my posts on Expressionism.